Internet security company releases free tool to remove fake antivirus programs
London, UK, 16 May 2011 - G Data is today announcing the introduction of a removal program aimed at fake antivirus (AV) software. The free tool, G Data FakeAVCleaner, is available for all web users to download from here.
Scareware market share within the last 15 monthsG Data reports a 35% increase in fake antivirus software in the past 15 months, leading to the creation of this tool which addresses the most active fake AV program 'System Tool'. After installation, the fake AV programs, also referred to as 'scareware', notify the user of an infection on the system. To 'disinfect' a PC, the programs instruct the user to purchase a 'full version'.
"The development and deployment of scareware has become a highly profitable business. Fake antivirus programs have a double benefit for cyber criminals: they receive money from users who purchased a 'full version' of their useless tools and they get hold of the victims' credit card data. To make matters worse: the fake AV programs often also put online criminals in a position that allows them to download additional malware onto their victims' computers", explains Eddy Willems, Security Evangelist at G Data. "Scareware offers a huge pay off for the e-crime community. ‘System Tool’ type fake programs, among which you can also find 'WinHDD' have been spread widely in the past 12 months."
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
How to install G Data FakeAVCleaner:
It is virtually impossible to remove a scareware program from a system without an external tool. Additionally, the program routines of 'System Tool' prevent manual removal. G Data's FakeAV Cleaner is all you need to remove these programs from the system. The installation consists of four simple steps:
Download G Data FakeAV Cleaner from the G Data website:
http://www.gdatasoftware.co.uk/support/downloads/tools.htmlIf downloaded on a different system than the currently infected one, the setup file must be transferred to the affected system.
Run the G Data FakeAV Cleaner setup file. The file is named "svchost.exe".
Reboot the computer to finalize the installation.
G Data's advice on how to avoid infections with fake AV software:
To protect the PC and the data it holds, G Data recommends to install a comprehensive security suite which is updated regularly and has a HTTP filter.
Only download software from trusted vendor sites or download portals.
Both operating system and browser should be updated constantly.
Think twice before clicking a link. Clicking a link might redirect you to a website that distributes scareware.
If receiving pop up messages, check spelling and grammar carefully. If a popup contains incorrect grammar or spelling it might be an indicator for an attempted fraud.
Visit G Data's SecurityBlog for more information:
http://blog.gdatasoftware.com/blog/article/fakeav-scams-do-not-stop.html
